Submarines and TOR-M1 “burn” Akis

The criminal prosecution for money laundering brought against the former PASOK minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos, which brings him close to being detained, is based on incriminating evidence from two cases - the first being that of the German submarines, which had even reached the parliament, and the second of the Russian anti-aircraft TOR-M1.

Tsochatzopoulos, who was arrested in the morning of Holy Wednesday, will be taken to judge Gabriel Malis on Monday to make a statement about the incriminating accusation he faces. Until then he will be in custody at Police Headquarters and the office of investigating judge will be visited probably starting today, Holy Thursday, by businessman Yiorgos Sachpatzidis, Nikos Zigras, allegedly a relative of the former minister, and Euphrosyne Lampropoulos, Tsohatzopoulos’ accountant.

All three are accused of complicity in money laundering and have been arrested on a warrant issued by the prosecution of the Athens First Instance Court. Overall, 5 warrants were issued, but the persons facing charges in the case are more than 10. According to sources, Akis’ wife Vicky Stamatis and his daughter Areti Tsochatzopoulos are among them. However, an arrest warrant has not been issued against them.

The preliminary investigation carried out by order of the head of the Athens First Instance Court Prosecutor, Helen Raikou, into all of Tsohatzopoulos’ assets and how he obtained them, is the basis of the case file that has been formed against the former minister. Prosecutors Eugenia Kyvelou and Helen Siskou conducted the investigation, while the prosecution against the former minister and the other defendants was issued about 15 days ago and is based on the offense of bribery.

The investigation was conducted in collaboration with the Financial Crime Unit, which checked the accounts owned by the former minister via offshore companies. The main focus of the investigation was the way he acquired all the assets and whether they can be justified or not.

Why now?

Using the provisions of Law 4022/2011, which implements a speedy trial in corruption cases of politicians or government officials, prosecutors deemed the former minister and 4 of the accused as flight risks.

The indictment for money laundering against the former minister and 10 other people was completed​ ​ about two weeks ago, but the warrant was issued on Holy Wednesday. Prosecution sources said the former minister is a flight risk and this is why they proceeded to issuing the warrant, adding that it took them a while to study the very long file of more than 800 pages. They assessed the case as very serious and its components sufficient for a charge of money laundering and supportive of the issuance date of warrants on the day of the official announcement of the election date.

However, Akis has already received restriction terms about not leaving the country for the case of his 2010 property statement, which was deemed insincere. For this case, the prosecutor has requested his referral to trial but also the maintenance of the other two restrictive conditions that have been imposed, namely the 150,000-euro bail and the freezing of the luxurious property on Dionysiou Areopagitou.

He came in smiling but left run down

Akis Tsochatzopoulos, who spoke of a conspiracy against him, passed the gate of the former Academy late on Holy Wednesday afternoon. Approaching the building he seemed confident and calm, not wearing handcuffs and accompanied by men of the Counterterrorism Unit. Then he was led to the office of the investigating judge, where he remained for about an hour. On leaving, however, he was visibly run down and did not want to make any statements. Until he submits his defense he will be detained at Police HQ, while it is expected that his co-defendants will request and be allowed time from the investigating judge for their own defense.